Entering Negative Numbers

Well, so much for not wanting that! Tuesday and Wednesday were looking so promising for labor to come through by the end of the week. And now, here we are on a Monday with contractions having slowed significantly, no cervical change, and the Doctor wanting to induce on Wednesday. Yup, induction. What we did not want to happen at all! I am just trying to feel better, I couldn't have changed this situation. I want to fight it, but I am so tired from just this week, I don't really feel like fighting.

1 Day To Go...

And praying I do not go into negative numbers! Though at this point who knows when he will decide to make his entrance into the world? I am so done and so ready. I did not sleep much last night because of waking up at least once an hour because of contractions. Once it hit 4 am, I was not able to go back to sleep. If it isn't heartburn or baby moving, then it is contractions keeping you awake. Ugh! And they are only coming at 20 minutes apart! Hopefully today they come faster! Yesterday they were about 20-30 minutes apart and I don't know how many more nights like that I can endure!

.....

39 Weeks = 7 days left!!!

Now that the 9th is here and not much progression has been taking place, I am assuming he may come closer to the 16th if not later. :(

But we are still within the 40 weeks as of right now. Only 7 days left! How exciting, and craziness! Can I say super nesting phase? If only it lasted a little longer!

Progression Depression

Well got back from the doctor's office today and the word on dilation and effacement is...

10 Days till the Due Date!

Today we have 10 days to go till the due date given by my doctor. We were hoping that Nikolai would come by the 9th rather than the 16th, but at this point I do not think that it is going to happen. Although, Braxton Hicks can become painfully uncomfortable? I was not aware of that. Hmm, and tomorrow I go in to the doctor to check for dilation, effacement and station. We will see tomorrow the progress that is being made. Granted, I do and do not want to know. I want to be excited that there is progress, but if there is not, then I don't want to know.

December 1st... 15 days to go...

And a daily countdown begins! (at least in my head it does...)

Doctor's appointment yesterday went well. The heart beat is good and he was still head down! Yay! Plus the Doctor thinks that he will not return to a breeched position. I sure hope that he is right! I go in again next week to determine if there has been any dilation, effacement, and the station of the Nikolai. Hopefully he is moving down! 

And I wound up accepting a job for today.  I am wondering if I should have accepted it. (I didn't realize my days were not blocked off yet, I forgot to do so)...I guess as long as I don't have to walk the kids to the cafeteria I should be ok, and Brandon wont be mad at me for working (last time I felt awful afterward). Starting at 10:30, who knows what will be needed...

Temporary Relief!

Just got back after 6 hours at TMC, and it was scary. the External Cephalic Version was not as bad as I was expecting (I planned on it being VERY painful!) and I can now relax for the moment! Thought there was a few moments where they were thinking of not doing it!

The Holiday Season Begins...

... and I get sick... So much for a great weekend...

Almost Full Term!

Well, today was the Doctors appointment to determine Nikolai's position. Got to hear his 'estimated' weight. We have done so much this last week, even though it doesn't really feel like we have done a whole lot! I am just tired.

The Car, Cheesecake, Diapers, and Doctors

Doctors appointment today. The last of the once-every-two-weeks visits and the start of once a week visits...

I was hoping to have a draft of our birth plan done by now, but with the last few weeks, everything has been crazy! Especially after this last week! And I have worked so much the last week and a half subbing. I enjoy it, but I don't know how much longer I can do it. Once it hits lunch time, I am exhausted! Maybe that is why some of the aides that work in the Project Inspire program are questioning my still working... And Sorry for such a long post, I have so much to talk about!

A Friend's Wedding

This Friday was Troy and Victoria's Wedding! Congratulations to the new married couple! It was a fun event and I got to dance (quite a bit!) with my husband. Though I did not get any pictures during the ceremony because I was controlling the video camera and the person I gave my camera to did not take any pictures, what I did get turned out rather nicely. Maybe I can get some of the photographer's pictures of Brandon in the wedding party later during the ceremony, and of us dancing together. That is if the photographer got any of us... Their wedding was lovely, at the Z Mansion downtown.

Time Moves Slowly

I have decided that time moves so slowly in the third trimester. It is the final stretch and it just seems like it is going to take forever to end. I am ready, done with the side effects; the weight on my bladder, the butt in the ribs (at least that is what I hope it is), the extremely uncomfortable Braxton Hicks... I know that when it's over it will seem like the blink of an eye, but looking forward (in anticipation) is not the same as hindsight...

Building a Birth Plan

Ok, so I had a doctors appointment on Wednesday, a basic check-up to measure and listen to the heart beat. I figure, especially seen as how our class on Tuesday was about building a birthing plan, I might as well be asking him some questions. I was nervous because I don't want to be asking a bunch of questions the he sees as unnecessary. I figured from our previous conversations he would be aware of our wishes to have a natural childbirth. I guess in some aspects I am confused about some things. Especially when the doctor says one thing and turns around to say another.

A Sneak Peek of Nikolai

Thursday, October 28th at 6:15 pm Brandon and I went to have our 3rd ultrasound pictures taken of little Nikolai. It was purely for entertainment purposes and seen as how we have hardly much in the area of pictures of him, we decided to go and get 3D/4D images @ Insight Ultrasound. We wanted that closer to 100% sureness that he his indeed a boy, and just wanted to get that sneak peek of what he may look like when he is delivered in December. And seeing him yesterday through the big screen TV on the wall, and his reaction to Brandon's voice was just amazing. The best part? We got 20 pictures out of it and a DVD! And this first one is my favorite. Is he smiling?

50 Days To Go!!!

 

In honor of a countdown, and half that of 100 days, I figure it is a nice time marker...

 Nikolai's room is coming along nicely and I cannot wait for it to be completely finished! Though not much else needs to be done, I am going to wait to post pictures of it from beginning to finished. I just wanted to show at least a glimpse! :)

Brandon's 27!

Happy Birthday to Brandon. As of yesterday he is now 27!
I hope that he enjoyed his day because it was busy! We woke up late and had to hurry to do a load of laundry and shower before heading over to Beth's son Thomas' birthday party. Spent a few hours there then came home to clean up a little. Brandon wanted to make ribs for his birthday. Had family over and then ate S'mores!

8 Weeks and Counting Down...

So I had my 32 week (8 weeks to go!!!!) check-up with my doctor today and discussed some things. I am feeling much relieved about having chosen him. As the date draws near, I am anticipating the arrival of Nikolai so much more and cannot help but step inside the room and think "this is our baby's room!" And in preparation, I am trying to get more time in with subbing to make up for the loss of the hours at the bowling alley.

Personal Summer and a Shower

This weekend was wonderful! Equipped with spending lunch with a friend, getting the nursery painted and stuff moved in, and a family shower! Though it may have been a busy weekend, and Brandon felt a little sick, it went rather smoothly. :) Now, we just feel a little worried, is it ok that I haven't felt Braxton Hicks contractions, or is it that I am just not noticing it?

Did I Choose the Right Doctor? ... on Pitocin

After taking the first 3 weeks of our Bradley Method classes, I can't help but feel concerned if I made the right choice with my obstetrician. I gave no thought to the type of childbirth I wanted when searching for a doctor, I felt rushed with what was going on at the time, and searched for one that was willing to see me that same week! But now that those risks are no longer prevalent, I wonder, did I bypass important questions and answers I should have asked and received with my hurried search for a doctor? I never had good luck with OB-Gyn's. They took one look at my history and I got a response "Oh, you're one of those..." and antagonistic, almost avoidance-type behavior followed. I finally found a doctor who did not treat me in that fashion, accepted the history as what it was, the past, and scheduled an appointment for that week. But now, especially seen as how I know how I want my baby to enter the work,  I wonder if my decision was made in haste, or by happenstance did I just get lucky with the right doctor?

Saltillo Tile & Eggs

So, these last few days has been consisting of attempting to get the 'nursery' emptied out and how to fit at least 2 eggs into my daily food consumption.  For some reason, the eggs are extremely important, and either I don't know or just cannot remember why. And on Thursday, after Brandon came home, there was a crib and stroller on our front porch! Friday we had the mattress delivered! Thank you Dad! Though, the house is a mess, now we need to get the room going to have stuff put into it! 

1st Substitute Experience - Kinder

Ok, I have to share my first substituting experience, Oct 7, 2010. I have to say I was greatly concerned to be in a kinder classroom because of kinder rooms I had been in when doing the immersion program with NAU and Flowing Wells. I had a horrible experience in the 2 kinder classes for which I subbed. I don't know if it was because I didn't know what exactly to expect. I had never really spent time in a kinder class before that, and the kids were, seemingly (to me and the aides), outright rude! Now I wonder, was it my student teaching experience that helped me out so much more for this time to be a fantastic experience?

Innevitable Weight Gain

Tuesday we had our Bradley Class, and the focus was ... Nutrition! I know I am not eating the greatest of things, or in the right quantities. I really haven't been all that concerned about my weight gain either. I had my doctors appointment Wednesday and the total gain to this point...

Classical Music, Tacos, and Firearms...

It has been a good weekend, food with family... Nikolai now moves around so much, and they aren't kidding when they say the kicks start getting stronger around this time! His active periods are getting longer too! We also tried hooking up the headphones to the sound system. That was interesting.

Week 29

Beginning week 29! Only 11 left to go! Getting pieces for the baby room, starting a new job, getting ready for a family shower... Maybe it is too many things to do all at once? Especially while awaiting the arrival of Nikolai in 11 weeks?  Hmm... But they are necessary! Not to mention Fun! Sadly, not so much happy stuff is happening though too...

Enter! 3rd Trimester!

And so it has happened, we are now on the last stretch before the arrival of our little Nikolai. 28 weeks done and only 12 left to go. The anticipation is building, and yet, neither of us quite feel ready. This is our last 3 months, just the two of us. But to be able to hold our little guy, see his fingers and his toes, we cannot wait for that. It seems so much more final now. I have a doctors appointment in 1 week, 6 more to go before the arrival of Nikolai. The time is going to fly by, and we still have so many preparations to do!

Super Sweet Heart Beat

Got back from the doctors yesterday super stoked because I recorded Nikolai's Heartbeat! I listened to the recording the entire way home. Over and over again! Granted it is only about 10 seconds worth of the heartbeat (and I wish it is a little louder), but still! I can listen to it over and over again. Our little peanut's heartbeat! That, I think, is the best thing I have gotten from a regular check-up so far. Sonograms don't count as a regular check up. :)

10 Things They Should Really Warn You About Before Getting Pregnant

Ok, so I was going to wait to post this until next week, but after watching Tyra and her episode on the Teen Pregnancy Epidemic, I have to do it before I forget. Two girls were on saying they were trying to get pregnant. One at the age of 14 the other at 16. How crazy! Being so young and actively trying! Wow!  Of course, Tyra had pregnant teens on the show to share their stories and hopefully change the minds of the trying young ones. I wonder what they are thinking, those girls. It's not all fun and games. One said she was looking forward to the shower, but that is what, a few hours out of a lifetime!?! Granted, yes it is something to look forward to, but not to be the center of attention, and not for the gifts. To celebrate a life that will be entering the world very soon! Wait till later, and you can participate in many showers to come.

I also feel sorry for the people who think, "yes! 9+ months without that dreaded period!"  (Yes, it will take longer than just after birth for the return of a period, especially if you are breastfeeding). We should know better that with some great things (feeling the baby kick and move, hearing the heartbeat) mother nature is going to throw some extra curve balls and make some not so nice moments like: round ligament pain, motion sickness and dizziness, morning sickness that lasts ALL DAY, and more that are not so familiar.

Practice Makes ... ?

Well... I had my interview with Sahuarita School District yesterday for a substituting job. Now that I have actually reflected on the questions and the coordinator's responses, I think it went fairly well! That excites me. I have heard good things about the district and the campus looks wonderful. I will be keeping my fingers crossed. And, I had so many stories to go with some of the questions (especially discipline)! One of the questions was about what type of situation you would send a student straight to the principal's office. Not that I needed to think about the question so much (is that bad?), but I had a story to go with every response I gave her. Maybe not that every story involved something I have seen, but something I have heard! And I could go off on a couple of those stories too! But really, it fits with emotional and physical safety of the students; the moment that is broken or threatened, then to me, that requires immediate principal intervention. But I guess the way I phrased my response, "you just don't treat another human being that way" made her really think about it. Apparently, no one has responded quite that way before. That is a good thing, right? And, she said she should get the references verified quickly so I can get as much time in before Nikolai is born. That is a good sign, right?

I am hoping that the extensive practice from school (teacher assisting, practicum placements, immersion substituting, student teaching) will make the substituting experience for me at least a little easier. Especially after the student teaching. There was nothing like being in the classroom everyday, all day. Oh, I do miss it though. Maybe because I am bored at home, maybe because the kids and my cooperating teachers were awesome. But, it was a lot of fun, even the difficult parts. I guess I am just nervous...

2nd Trimester ~ 1 Week Left!

What a way to mark the ending of the 2nd trimester but to start the Childbirth classes!

We are taking classes on the Bradley Method because of our goals to go through childbirth un-medicated. Yes! People say we are crazy, that the pain is unbearable, and it will save the baby and yourself unnecessary tiredness and exhaustion. (personal experiences are not all the same)... Well, based on our feelings and how we perceive how childbirth will go, we don't want the medication. It's not bravery. It is how we want to experience the miracle of our child entering the world. This comes with the understanding that there may be a necessity for the use of medication and/or even cesarean. But that, though, is something we hope will not happen. We are using these classes to be the best prepared we can be before walking into the delivery ward of the hospital. I have a feeling we will be defending this position the rest of the way until after we have Nikolai in our arms.

HeartBeat

Today was the first day Brandon heard Nikolai's heartbeat without the Doctors office using the Doppler! At least as far as we think. I read in whattoexpect.com that the dad should be able to start hearing the baby's heartbeat by putting his ear to the stomach. We had been trying that for the last week with no results. Today, I was laying on the sofa and he went to hug my stomach. I put my hand over is ear just to hold him close. When I moved my hand away Brandon responded, "wait! I think I heard it!" So we tried again and he got so excited! Tears in my eyes, did I see tears in his? We were talking the other day, that I need to record the next appointment so he can hear Nikolai's heartbeat. Now, maybe I don't need to... Course, I think I will still try. But, one week to go until the next visit...

Tuesday, we start our child-birthing class. It will be here before we know it! Thursday I have an interview for a substitute teaching position with Sahuarita Unified School District. Three nights of working at the bowling alley somewhere in there. This next week is gonna fly, I have a feeling. I am just going to have to keep my fingers crossed and hope that all goes well!!!

100 Days Left!

It just seems like a major marker, a nice round number!

100 days left! Exciting!

An Interesting Evening...

So, Saturday evening was interesting...

We had a birthday celebration dinner to go to last night for a friend of ours. Mmm, Black Angus Steakhouse! Such great Fillet Mignon (that is what I ordered, even though it was $3 extra)! We had a coupon and a party of 17 people! And of course, we were the first ones there. 40 minutes early! But that gave us time to run back to a Walgreen's and grab a card for the special birthday girl! So, at least the wait time wasn't that bad. But then, it took them at least 20 minutes to get the table ready for us to sit. Which, with a party that big, I can understand. We finally order our main course, after the appetizer, and when it finally arrived some good amount of time later, only half our party got their food! No point in waiting to eat, those of us who had gotten our food, it started to get cold! So, we ate. Not until once we finished did the other half of our party receive their food! It was crazy! I felt so bad eating in front of them, but my meal smelled so good! (steak, broccoli with parmesan cheese, and loaded baked potato soup!) Once we all finished our food, it took at least a good 30-45 minutes to get the desserts out! We were there for 4 hours! Most of it waiting time! I guess one of us complained because we got on top of the coupon, free sodas, a 25% discount and free desserts for those that did not use the coupon! The servers were so apologetic and the manager even came out and apologized to us. Hey, it was over an $80 meal for only $40! It was just crazy! And it didn't end there!

A bowling ball in my stomach!?!

I have been learning, as time progresses, that it is becoming more and more difficult to do things that require getting close to the floor! Things like emptying and loading the dishwasher (especially the bottom rack) and taking clothes out from the dryer. Either I do it and once I get back up, my back aches horribly, or I just can't get the weight back up. This also means that grabbing peoples shoe sizes at the bowling alley is becoming more difficult too! At least I can work the register and tell the other person they need to do the shoes. And at home, Brandon - I am sorry, but I am going to need your help with the dishes and laundry. What am I going to do with myself during the day time? scrapbook... :)

People have asked me what it is like, being pregnant. I have decided that it is like carrying a 10 pound bowling ball strapped to your stomach only not quite so hard. You can't lay on your stomach or have it dig into you. Can't lay on your back because the weight is on your spine. It gets in the way when bending over, can't reach your feet an toes. And does this make for a difficult time washing feet and legs in the shower! But, does this bowling ball definitely kick back! And how much fun is that! I rub it all the time! It is more fun to watch than the TV! I love my bowling ball belly, but cannot weight for Nikolai to come out of it so I can lay on my back and stomach again. And not to mention holding him!!!

24 Weeks and Counting

I have been debating on starting this for quite some time now and primarily want it to document our lives once Nikolai is born. So now that I am 24 weeks in and nearly into the third trimester, I figure why not start it now?

We finally registered for our childbirth class and I am so thankful for having an option open to us to start and end the duration of the classes. Brandon and I had decided to go through birth completely natural. No epidural!! As crazy as that sounds, it is just the way we want it. So, after looking into the different options of child-birthing classes available to us, The Bradley Method is the best option. I am so excited for this class! Not only does it cover the stages of labor, but parenting and breastfeeding too! We start in 2 weeks! I can't wait for the information that the instructor has to give us!

Thankfully this second trimester has been much more kind to me than the first. Aside from the heartburn and tiredness, it has been great! Brandon saw the movement of my belly bump for the first time last night and his eyes went all kinda buggy. It was so funny I couldn't help but laugh! I had been trying to get his attention to see the movement, but each time he finally looked, Nikolai stopped. So he would get confused with my breathing and heartbeat moving my belly. It is so cool to watch! And to feel! Though, the other morning I sat up too abruptly and felt something in my rib! That was not a good feeling, and I sat there for a good few second saying "sorry baby". I don't think it hurt him, but still! If it hurt me... I felt so bad!

The baby's room still has a bit of junk in it and needs to be emptied out. We have been taking our time with it, but we don't have anything to put into the room yet! I just want to have the tile sealed and the 2 walls we can paint, painted before we start putting things into the room. It is a work in progress and will be for a while, I have a feeling... Instead, we are currently attempting to build a pond in the backyard and so far, so good. But still not ready for water yet. It looks good though!

3 weeks until my next appointment. This will mark the last of my once a month visits and onto twice a month visits. It's exciting, the transition into the third trimester!!! Each week we get closer!